I think it's really tough being a musician... You gotta be mentally strong... Music makes up the reason for 70% of the time I'm sad. Gotta learn to take criticism and basically have to want to learn and improve despite unpleasant things we may hear... For me, I always tell myself, the more I don't 'feel' like doing something, the more I must do it!!! Though playing music is an emotional thing, we can't let emotions take over us!!! At least I'm trying hard not to...

When I first joined the orchestra... I was seriously vv discouraged by the things I hear... To the extent that I didn't wanna touch my cello... Or even wanna see it. That bad. A hell lot of self encouragement to do... and a hell lot of conquering all the negative thoughts inside my mind... And I'm sure I'm not speaking for myself only.

I talk to myself a lot... Sometimes I'm a bit too strict with myself even... "It was you who wanted to get in... and now that you're in it... FOR GOODNESS' SAKE PRACTISE HARD AND GET IN THE FLOW. STOP THIS WHOLE SELF-PITYING THING. WHATEVER COMMENTS THEY SAY, TAKE THEM AND WORK ON THOSE." Well, just a glimpse of what I say to myself sometimes... (Maybe that's why I'm always in my own world...? haha)

Of course all of us want to play well, but how many of us are willing to go through the learning process? Which sometimes involves you having to strip off all pride and struggling to move on while being pulled down by others. I think it's best not to see unpleasant comments as personal attacks but as learning points which we can improve on...

Just a 5 cents worth from an amatuer musician